# Really silly warnings that manufacturers put on products because they might get sued **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 30, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944 "2001-05-30T01:57:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/81 "2022-10-31T17:04:12Z")
Narration: Take two tickets and see the game Sunday morning. (Warning: tickets should not be taken internally.) Homer: See? Because of me now they have a warning. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/s87UjNHSDHM/maxresdefault.jpg "Homer Simpson Football Fever") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s87UjNHSDHM) ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/82 "2022-10-31T17:08:09Z")
In the theme of my other post (in the Pit) Warning with the pistol I just got. “Warning! Using product may expose user to lead” ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/83 "2022-10-31T17:09:46Z")
A warning I wish had come with a tube of Prep H: “This is not a one-dose sized application. Apply sparingly.” Who knew? Well, I did, and my partner at the time soon found out. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/84 "2022-10-31T20:44:13Z")
> [@deepbluesea](#): > > Well, I sort of hoped someone else would post this, but - the instructions for Tampax tampons (and I just checked the ones enclosed with my current box, so I know I’m remembering this correctly) say: > > **FOR MENSTRUAL USE ONLY** > > This astounds me. What other possible uses did the manufacturer consider? > > Are they trying to warn me against inserting tampons during a non-period time, just for fun? Let’s face it, when this is the top of your ‘recreational activities’ list, you need more help than a simple warning - or even a full sheet of instructions - can possibly supply. > > Or are they trying to warn me against entirely non-vaginal uses of this product? Like, say, using a tampon if I get a bloody nose? Or to blot up spilled milk? > > I am at a loss, and have been since I first noticed this warning. Interesting, since tampons were originally made to bandage bullet holes ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/85 "2022-10-31T20:52:04Z")
I’m not sure of the difference, if any, between tampons and “sanitary napkins”, but perhaps the warning is to indicate that they’re not suitable for use as dinner napkins? 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/86 "2022-10-31T20:57:35Z")
On the cellophane wrapper on a bouquet of flowers purchased from Costco, “Not for animal or human consumption.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/87 "2022-10-31T23:12:46Z")
That one makes sense. Most grazing animals love flowers. I could see a horse-owner buying some flowers as a treat for their horse. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/88 "2022-10-31T23:41:44Z")
> [@JadedNaive](#): > > Also, I’ve noticed that a lot of frozen microwavable food has warnings that it may be hot after heating. That one is not **entirely** frivolous. Some types of food heat unevenly, so that part of the food is warm, whereas 2 inches away it’s practically boiling. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/89 "2022-11-01T01:48:30Z")
Not even close! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/90 "2022-11-01T14:47:41Z")
> [@Rockwell](#): > > From the warning label on the sides of various fireworks - > “Do not place in mouth” It could be worse. Lowering the Bar reports that there was a lawsuit in 2012 due to a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity shooting one [out of his anus](https://www.loweringthebar.net/2012/02/bottle-rocket.html). It startled an onlooker, who fell off a balcony. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/91 "2022-11-01T15:11:51Z")
So the lawsuit was filed by the person who fell, against the fratboy who launched the bottle rocket. I expected a suit against the university for allowing him to enroll, despite being an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/92 "2022-11-01T15:33:04Z")
Every gun I sell has a removable sticker warning that firearms can be dangerous. > [@SkullScrew](#): > > My own personal favorite? It comes on an Alka Seltzer box. “Dissolve in water before taking.” Can you imagine the poor boob that popped one in his mouth and chewed, with no clue as to what would happen? Eye opening experience, I would think. > > Also. Dissolve in WATER? Why? I used to work with a guy that claimed he put one in his wifes vagina. And she allegedly liked it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/93 "2022-11-01T15:38:59Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Every gun I sell has a removable sticker warning that firearms can be dangerous. - Maybe they shouldn’t be removable. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/94 "2022-11-01T15:45:36Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I expected a suit against the university for allowing him to enroll, despite being an idiot. It was against the shootee and against the fraternity, for failing to have a railing on the balcony (against the building code), for allowing underage drinking, and for failing to properly supervise its members. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/95 "2022-11-01T15:48:53Z")
When I went to the ER for a bloody nose, the packing used was called a “nasal tampon”. It was , however made from a different material than the menstrual kind. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/96 "2022-11-01T16:11:42Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Every gun I sell has a removable sticker warning that firearms can be dangerous. > [@running\_coach](#): > > Maybe they shouldn’t be removable. We had new garage doors installed, as well as new openers, tracks, etc. The guy did a really nice job. As part of his service, he stopped monthly for three months to check on them. _However_, after he installed them I spent time with a razor and goo-gone taking the red warning stickers off. They warned us not to crush infants. We have no infants, so I was comfortable removing the stickers. So of course he reapplied the stickers each time he came to check on the doors. Each time I removed them immediately after he drove away. I almost want to crush an infant, just to show him. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/97 "2022-11-01T16:16:26Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > When I went to the ER for a bloody nose, the packing used was called a “nasal tampon”. I had one also. It was supposed to remain in place for 5 days IIRC. However, after 48 hours without sleep I returned to the ER. There, a doctor looked in my mouth and was alarmed that the tampon had been inserted too far and was in my nasopharynx. I was gagging constantly and couldn’t swallow/eat/sleep. When he pulled it out I experienced the most intense relief. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/98 "2022-11-01T17:03:43Z")
My rubber tent peg mallet has a warning label that says “Wear safety goggles while using”. Which has to be up there with “most widely ignored safety advice” (by percentage at least). I mean is there a single human being on the planet who takes safety googles camping (unless they are cooking meth I guess 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/99 "2022-11-01T17:22:12Z")
Seen on a bakery box: > There is a clip in the middle of the cake board to keep the cake stable during transportation. Behaviors such as face smashing into the cake can result in severe injury. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/100 "2022-11-01T19:26:29Z")
I work for the Postal Service and we will get mail with visible money in it from organizations and the organization will put these huge red stickers on it saying STEALING FROM THE MAIL AS A POSTAL WORKER IS A FELONY and lists the crime code. Yes I think I do understand why I shouldn’t be opening makl on the job and taking bills out for myself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944.md?page=6)